Please "like" me on facebook to get current updates on the upcoming album:  100 Stories Vol. 1

 So, I've been noticing the last week or so that some of the equipment in the studio has been giving me electrical shocks.  I've adapted by trying to avoid touching anything metal.  Or if I did, to do it very quickly.  Maybe not the smartest move, but I have a record to finish.  But  I came to an impass as I started to record bass guitar today.  I got a jolt every time I touched the strings.  I spent an hour trying to narrow it down to any one piece of gear, but finally concluded it was everything.  I think I need an electrician.  But what I also realized was that I could only slightly feel the tingle if I left my shoes on.  So, tonight I started and finished all the bass tracks for One Hundred Stories Vol. 1.  My fingers are still a little tingly and I can feel my fillings - but hey - that's the price you pay to rock and roll....

One Hundred Stories Vol. 1

Something happened this year that reminded me again of the brevity of life.  My cousin Kevin died. He was like a brother growing up. We were about a month apart in age. He was a musician and a songwriter. Music was near the center of his heart. And yet, we could only find one of his recorded songs. 

So, I have this pressing need to share my songs with you. In fact I have about a hundred songs I want you to hear. Songs that have been important to me over the years, but most people have not heard. Songs that are meaningful to me and I hope some would be to you.  My first inclination was to release a hundred song album. I thought it might be interesting. I soon realized that it would not only be overwhelming to me, but also to my listeners. So, my idea from this end is to release 10 X 10 song albums. One Hundred Stories Vols. 1-10.  They will be stripped down for the most part.  They will be free and primarily available for download.   I will talk more about the song selection for the first volume 

Whether anyone cares, I need to do this for myself. Maybe a few others will enjoy it. Maybe it will be nothing more than me digging a few historical markers into the ground for my kids. Regardless, look for One Hundred Stories Vol. 1 coming to a computer near you in the next month. Most of the stories are even true. Some of them might even be about you.

Click here to follow the progress on Facebook

In Canada I am on a small record label called "Rarebird Records" and we have just released a free holiday music sampler album - 7 mp3 tracks including 2 songs from me. All you have to do is click here http://noisetrade.com/rarebirdrecords and enter your e-mail address. You'll get an e-mail with a link to download the album. There is an original song onthere from me called "Waiting This Christmas" and also a version of "Friendly Beasts."

I believe "Waiting for Christmas" is my first completed Christmas song.  I think my difficulty in the past was either trying to say something new, or something that wasn't just trite.  This song came to me in a matter of a few minutes and I had it recorded down in a couple of days as you hear it.   I think it reflects some of my faith and disappointment with the season. So if you're looking for Christmas Shoes or Jingle Bells, look elsewhere.

"The Friendly Beasts" is an old traditional I recorded last year at this time.  It includes my friend Jordan Fox on banjo (who just came out with a great ep "Hired Guns" available here).  It also features my 1yr old (at the time) boy/girl twins on animal sounds.  Which is pretty darn cute if I have to say, just imagine it.  Actually, you don't need to - just go download it now for free. 

Download, enjoy.  Have a merry Christmas and happy holiday! 

- Jason

I have an affinity for westerns.  Somewhere in the midst of writing for my 2009 release "Willows Motel" I wrote this very short story that blends in a bunch of songs and ideas from the album. 

The Tale of Bad John MacQuinn
(c) 2008 Jason Paul Johnston

The trail is as dusty as the back of my parched mouth. Thunderclap is breathing hard. His strength is good, but his pace is slow and careful these days. Thankfully the twenty-five miles to Lowville is mostly downhill. Winding down paths well worn by settlers, cowboys and the odd lawman.

I cross the line into town, winding between the buildings. Some half built, some half falling apart. These western towns were all the same. Growing out of control by the energies of economic explosion and self-destruction. Strange that no one seems to notice I'm arriving. Ten years ago my entrance would have made women swoon and sheriffs run for their deputies. Once they understand I am Bad John MacQuinn, they'll be turning their heads. This is not just another old man on a tired, dusty horse

I'll tie up Thunderclap here. Out of my way if you know what's good for you!

I've got a strange feeling about this town, I better lay low.

There is the front desk. One room. One night. No questions.

Okay, John.

How did you know my name? What are you trying to pull here! I have half a mind to...

Easy now, here's the key. Room 5. Through the Saloon then upstairs on the left. Enjoy your stay at the Willows motel.

Who's that tending the bar. She's pretty. I feel like I've met her someplace before. Were you ever a dancer in Dawson city?

What'll it be, John?

So you do know me. I know I placed your face somewhere. You probably never forgot me, Bad John MacQuinn.

Look, we've got other customers. If you want a drink, just say.

Yeah, just leave her alone, John.

You don't know who you are dealing with here, partner! Sundown. Outside. Just you and me...if you are man enough.

John, you know I'm the town Doctor. I don't even own a gun. Just get a drink or go up to your room.

What's that I hear outside? Horses. At least five of them. It must be the posse. I knew this smelled like a trap. Gotta grab my gun and get to my room.

Close these drapes. I'll get this chair against the door. I know they are out there. They won't get me alive. Check the cylinder. No bullets. A cowboy without bullets. But they don't know that. Must not let them know. Take the upper hand.

I can see the movement just below the window. Give up, you'll never get me! Give up if you value your pathetic lives! Someone is knocking at the door now.

It's me, Millie. From the saloon. John...don't do this. Don't do this again. Just come back to the bar for a drink.

Who else is there? You're not alone. I heard the posse and I know they're here for me. You're in on it too.

I'm here too. It's your buddy, Jed. Why don't you just come out and we can talk about it.

You've never forgotten when I shot you in the back during our last train robbery. I can't trust you.

John. You know that never happened. Just come on out and everything will be fine.

The Sheriff put you up to this. How much is he paying you? What bounty on my head is large enough to buy off a friend? You tell that Sheriff to come and fight his own battles. Tell the Sheriff to face Bad John alone. You hear me? Jed? It's quiet now. I'll have to be sure and just wait this one out.

John? This is Sheriff Williams. There is no posse here to get you. I am not here to get you. But you need to stop this act right now or you might get yourself hurt.

You'll never get me with your lies and traps, Sheriff! The only way to stop Bad John is with a quicker hand and a better shot. And you have neither!

John...just knock it off. Will you please?

When you pry the gun from my cold hands, Sheriff!

I can do it. I can wait him out. But I'm getting tired. I have the door braced. Maybe if I just close my eyes for a few minutes.

What's that shadow coming this way. It's getting dark. It's not a shadow, they are vines. Growing so quickly. They're covering the windows and now the door of the motel room. Wedging between the cracks and creeping inside. Covering the walls and the furniture. Coming closer. Covering my legs. I can't move them. It almost has me. I'm almost gone.

What? It was only a dream. It's quiet again outside. I need to run. No money and no bullets. Time to hit the bank.

I'll kick the bank door down and they won't know what hit 'em. I'm coming through! Out of my way.

Teller, fill the bag with cash and make it quick!

Com'on, John. Do we really have to do this? You are scaring some of the out-of-town customers.

Don't pretend you know me, and don't look at me in the eye. Make it quick now or yer all dead!

That's it. He's pulling a twenty out and slipping it into a bag. Nice and calm now. Much obliged. What's that he is writing on his notepad? It reads, reminder: minus $20 from John MacQuinn’s bank account 3125 when the railroad pension comes. No matter. It is done. Out the door of the bank in a flash. I'm back to my horse again and they will never catch me now.

Ride, Thunderclap, ride! You haven't seen the last of Bad John MacQuinn. I'll be back here soon enough.

 Just wanted to say a quick thanks to KTCU 88.7 in Fortworth, Texas for adding Willows Motel to the rotation.   It's a station with a nice taste in music (that's not just self-congratulatory). You can listen to it online here http://www.ktcu.net/  Today I came right after Townes Van Zant and another time after John Prine.  I'm humbled!

On Wednesday March 31st, 2010 we wrote, recorded and video taped a song in one evening in my studio at Revolution Audio. Song written by Jordan Fox, Joel Martin and myself. Producing help from Bruce Anthony. BG vocals from Bruce and Joel. Thanks to Joel for video taping and Jordan for putting it together with the song.  

I'm closing down my store and studio this month and moving on, so this is was final night of recording. I guess it's my studio swan song, aptly named "One Time."

One Time
(c) 2010 by Jordan Fox, Joel Martin and Jason Paul Johnston

When you dropped by to say hello, there was no way for you to know
The half wave was the last I'd see, of you before I had to leave
The door closed then and you were gone, like lazy clouds we're moving on
to other skies and other fields, drifting til the wind reveals that...

One time will be the last time
One time will be the last time

Not everyone is passing by with separate lives and cool goodbyes
A few will stop and sit with me, know when to talk or let slience speak
The ones I've met who gave me life, who added water, shined some light
Our roots are shared, same ground same vine, though we no longer intertwine

One time will be the last time
One time will be the last time

One time will be the last time
One time will be the last time
One time....

 Big thanks out to DJ Slomo at WRUB 90.1 FM in Burlington, VT for adding Willows Motel to their playlist.  The song is on a really interesting program called "the sleepy strange" and I seem to fit right in...sounds about right, especially today.  Anyone else feel sleepy strange today?  You can tune into them online here: http://www.wruv.org/

 As much of the world watched the Olympics taking place here in Canada, so did I.  I can't say I was glued to my TV, but like most good Canadians I cheered our Hockey Team on to victory and watched with pride as Canada had a spotlight for a brief moment in time.  Have you noticed how full of music these events are?  It's the language that can be understood across borders.  I was struck with this again as I was looking (in amazement) to see where in the world people were clicking my music website.  I would expect hits from English nations like Canada, the US and UK.  Also, with a few reviews in Netherlands I have some readers and listeners there.  They are #3 in purchasing my CD.   But in one day alone I also had people from Russia, Brazil, China, Korea, Australia, Thailand, Israel, France, Poland, Germany, Taiwan, Italy, Ireland, Iran, Japan...and the list goes on!  Music is the worldwide language.  Welcome world, I am humbled.  Please tell me what you like and what you would like to hear more of.  I may not know your language, or be able to travel to all your countries (although I'm open to invitations...:) but I'm open to ideas on how we can connect.  Thank you for listening.

- Jason Paul Johnston
www.jasonpauljohnston.com

 I'm happy to announce that music blogger "Half Hearted Dude" has named "Willows Motel" one of the top albums of 2009.  Click here to see his blog and complete list.  I feel privileged and humbled to be listed beside so many great musicians that I love like Wilco, Ben Kweller, Elvis Perkins, Neko Case, Grizzly Bear and M. Ward.  Thanks half-hearted-dude!